Story sacks

[angeldelight]

Sorry if this has been mentioned before I can not see it anywhere though

Do any of you do story sacks? If so where do you get the sacks from or do you make your own?
I have seen some on some websites but they seem really expensive , any ideas ? Please do not suggest me making any I hate sewing !

Also do any of you do any knitting ? Or maybe your moms or aunts or something ?
I am after some home made knitted toys like sea creatures , spiders , ladybirds, red riding hood that type of thing
Once again anyone got any ideas or can anyone help me of course I'm prepared to pay anyone who can make them if they are cheap of course !!

Thanks everyone

Angel x

[Pauline]

We are really lucky that the school where we hold our childminding group meetings have story sacks available to borrow. These are provided by the home/school liason team (I think!!)

I don't think you really need to be able to sew to make your own, perhaps you could find some suitable cheap bags? Do you think those large white laundry bags would do? You could decorate them with fabric pens.

Pop in a book and some relevant items to the story and there you go!

re the knitting - I used to do lots of knitting years ago but just don't have the time now.

You can make spiders from pom poms and pipe cleaners if that helps!

[lavendergirl]

Before becoming a minder for the second time last yr I worked in a school so story sacks were something I made and used frequently.

As you say they are very expensive to buy so we made our own and now i'm minding I have made a couple for myself.

I have The Gingerbread Man and The Very Hungry Caterpillar(one of my favourite stories) ;D.I made the bags from cheap cotton fabric found in charity shops and bargain boxes at the market with drawstrings and the bits inside i've got from car boots sales and charity shops.
Some of the food for Hungry Caterpillar is made from Fimo(hardening modeling clay).
They are an excellent thing and really bring the story alive when the children can take part.

Lavendergirl

[angeldelight]

Thanks Pauline and Lavendergirl

Do you know where I can get some cheap bags from rather than making any myself

Thankyou

Angel xx

[deeb66]

Hi Angel

Just seen this thread - do you still need any help/suggestions?

I don't like sewing either. I have loads of story sacks myself - some have been made with old pillow cases that I have thread a cord through top hemming so that it closes. I have also used kit bags - you know the type that you get from sports shops that kids can use as PE bags etc.

I was also very cheeky in the past - I took the children down to the local OAP daycentre and spoke to the lovely ladies. I explained what I wanted to do and that I was absolutely useless at that sort of thing. I asked them (and this is where the cheek came in!!) that if I supplied all the materials would they help me and the children to make the bags. I have to say it was a wonderful experience - the ladies loved it, the children loved it and I also really got a lot out of it too.

Hope this helps

Dee

[angeldelight]

I have got some now thanks Dee but your idea is a good one might be useful to go to the old folks home for another activity I did not think of that before so thanks

Angel xx

[angeldelight]

Here you go Mel


Bit of info about them here too

www.literacytrust.org.uk/socialinclusion/earlyyears/storysackspractice.html


www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/parentalinvolvement/pics/pics_storysacks/


stores.ebay.co.uk/Sacks-n-Stories

Angel xx